CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. -- Shawn Springer of the United States Coast Guard has been serving overseas for the past year. He is currently home on a two-week leave. He told his 6-year-old daughter he was coming this weekend, but Zoe got a big surprise Wednesday.

"I just want to tell her I missed her and I love her," said Springer. "I thought about her all the time. She probably going to run and hide when I walk in."

Springer said his daughter is often shy around him because he's not around much. However, when he walked in the kindergarten classroom at Laurel Valley Elementary, Zoe ran right to him, hugged him and simply said "Daddy," as she clung to his fatigues.

After the initial shock wore off, Zoe showed her dad the poster she made for him, welcoming him home. When the smiling 6-year-old was asked what she plans to do during his visit she said, "play horses with him!"

The school day ended with Zoe's teacher passing out American flags. The students then recited the Pledge of Allegiance.